Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, is another option to get to Machu Picchu by walk. This route is less crowded than the Inka Trail but it is still beautiful. The hike begins its route at the foot of Salkantay in the mountains reaching its path at 4500m, to descend to the cloud forest. This route is rich in flora and fauna besides having spectacular scenery.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cusco – Salkantaypampa: We leave Cusco at 5am and pass through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo before arriving at Mollepata (approx. 9am). After a short break, we head to Soraypampa where we will have lunch. After that we will get ready to start our 4 hour walk to Soyrococha, our first camp.Meals: B,L,D

Total distance:

12 km(7,47 miles)

Estimated walking time:

5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point:

3,000 m(9,840 ft)

Campsite altitude:

3,000 m(9,840 ft)

Day 2 Salkantaypampa – Challway:After a good breakfast (7am) we prepare ourselves to undertake the long and most difficult day of the trip. We cross the Salkantay pass (4,500mt/14,760ft) approx. 11 am. At this site we’ll observe the snow peaks, glaciers and waterfalls of the Salkantay range. After a 2-hour lunch in Huayrac, we trek to our second campsite at Challway.

Meals: B,L,D

Total distance:

12 km(7,47 miles)

Estimated walking time:

5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point:

3,000 m(9,840 ft)

Campsite altitude:

3,000 m(9,840 ft)

Day 3 Challway – Lucmabamba: This day will be unforgettable because of the great variety of flora and fauna we´ll see. Starting from Callway we´ll pass through the village of Arranniyuc before descending towards the cloud forest. We’ll follow the course of the Santa Teresa River, observing varieties of orchids and caracts of great magnitude. We will spend the night in our last campsite.Meals: B,L,D

Total distance:

11 km(6,84 miles)

Estimated walking time:

6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point:

4,200 m(13,776 ft)

Campsite altitude:

3,500 m(11,480 ft)

Day 4 Lucmabamba– Aguas Calientes: After breakfast, we can go to the Santa Teresa hot springs to relax our muscles. After that, we head to the hydroelectric where we will have lunch for then start our hike 2 hour hike to Aguas Calientes. There we will be taken to our hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Total distance:

16 km(9,94 miles)

Estimated walking time:

8 hours

Maximum altitude point:

3,900 m(12,792 ft)

Campsite altitude:

2,650 m(8,692 ft)

Day 5 Machu Picchu – Cusco: Our day will start around 4am. We will have an early breakfast and then walk to the bus station so we can catch the early transfers to Machu Picchu so we can enjoy of the beautifull sunrise in the citadel. After our 3 hour tour, we will get back to Aguas Calientes to catch our train back to Cusco.Meals: B